Some officials are challenging a pilot program that would give public money to help finance campaigns for state supreme court candidates.

Former West Virginia Democrat Party Chairman Mike Callaghan is filed a lawsuit in federal court to challenge the constitutionality of the state's public campaign financing pilot program. That law uses tax payer money to match campaign contributions for state supreme court candidates only. And this pilot program will take effect only during the 2012 election cycle. Candidates can choose whether or not to accept the money.

Metronews is reporting Republican Supreme Court Candidate Allen Loughry has received $350,000 in state money. Under this law he can get an additional $700,000 based on the amount the other candidates have raised.

The State Election Committee has refused to release that money after the program's constitutionality came under fire. The point of it is to cut back on special interest campaign contributions because a justice needs to be politically impartial. But some argue the dollar for dollar match has donors question if their contribution is really helping their candidate thus an infringement on free speech.

The State Supreme Court will hear arguments on this case on September fourth.

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